cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A descriptive analysis of asthma-related medical services and prescription utilization among recipients in a Medicaid program.

One objective of the Healthy People 2010 initiative calls for the establishment of a surveillance system to track asthma illness and management in at least 25 states. Our objective was to report patterns of asthma-related medical services and pharmacotherapy use among recipients of Texas Medicaid. Texas Medicaid medical services and prescription administrative claims data dated between January 1 and December 31, 2000, for recipients between 6 and 64 years of age enrolled in a fee-for-service plan were extracted. Rates of recipients with asthma, rates of asthma-related medical services use, and patterns of pharmacotherapy use were reported. There were 31,509 recipients identified with asthma at a rate of 22.8 per 1000. Children under 15 years of age, males, and blacks had the highest rates of asthma, as well as asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations compared with other demographic groups. Hispanics accounted for the largest proportion of ethnic groups but had the lowest rate o...
Acute hypokalemic myopathy in alcoholism. A clinical entity.

• Two cases of an acute myopathy without muscle pain, tenderness, or swelling are described in alcoholic patients. Both were associated with severe hypokalemia and were largely reversible with potassium repletion. Hypokalemia may be the cause of some cases of acute myopathy in alcoholism, particularly those in which muscle cramps are absent.
Established TH1 Granulomatous Responses Induced by Active Mycobacterium avium Infection Switch to TH2 Following Challenge with Schistosoma mansoni

Mycobacterium avium established a systemic infection with granulomatous inflammation in mice. Mice chronically infected with M. avium and subsequently co-infected with Schistosoma mansoni developed additional, but morphologically distinct, hepatic granulomas. Schistosome eggs were not deposited in the spleen, and splenic granulomas in co-infected mice contained mycobacteria. In complete contrast to the T(H1) cytokine pattern observed with granuloma lymphocytes from M. avium-infected mice, granuloma lymphocytes from co-infected mice stimulated with PPD elaborated IL-4, but not IFN-gamma. Furthermore, mycobacterial granulomas in concurrently infected mice contained large numbers of eosinophils, a feature never seen in granulomas of M. avium-infected mice. Serum IgG1 and IgE levels in concurrently infected mice were significantly higher, but IgG2a levels significantly lower, than those in M. avium-infected mice, further evidence that the T(H1) component induced by M. avium is modulated subsequent to co-infection with S. mansoni. The dominance of the T(H2) response observed in this model could have clinical implications in areas where parasites and mycobacteria co-exist.
Neutron scattering and the critical behavior of the three-dimensional Ising antiferromagnet FeF 2

Neutron scattering has been used to study a high-quality single crystal of the very anisotropic antiferromagnet ${\mathrm{FeF}}_{2}$ over the reduced temperature range ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$\ensuremath{\Vert}t\ensuremath{\Vert}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. Analysis of the data by use of the Lorentzian scattering form of Ornstein and Zernike is shown to be inadequate, particularly for T${T}_{c}$. The use of better theoretical scattering forms for \ensuremath{\Vert}t\ensuremath{\Vert}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ yields power-law behavior with the exponents \ensuremath{\nu}=0.64\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 and \ensuremath{\gamma}=1.25\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02 and the amplitude ratios ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{0}^{+}$/${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{0}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$=0.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 and ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{0}^{+}$/${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{0}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$=4.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 for the inverse correlation length and staggered susceptibility, respectively. These results are in excellent agreement with the theory for the three-dimensional Ising model. Hence, the consistency between theory and neutron scattering in ${\mathrm{FeF}}_{2}$ is greatly improved over previous experiments.
Effects of chronic exposure to insulin on lipid synthesis in 3T3-L1 fatty fibroblasts.

The acute effect of insulin on 3H incorporation into lipid from glucose was measured in 3T3-L1 fatty fibroblasts cultured with and without insulin at 10 µg/ml for 7 days. Basal lipid synthesis did not differ between control cells and cells treated chronically with insulin. There was no insulin stimulation in treated cells while 3H incorporation into lipid in control cells increased from a basal level of 1.39 to 3.85 nmol/dish/90 min with a maximally-stimulating concentration of insulin. This is the first study of 3T3-L1 fatty fibroblasts which describes a lack of acute insulin responsiveness in cells exposed chronically to insulin as compared to control cells.
Starburst mid-flight: as the dust clears (database project)

The purpose of the Starburst project is to improve the design of relational database management systems and enhance their performance, while building an extensible system to better support nontraditional applications and to serve as a testbed for future improvements in database technology. The design and implementation of the Starburst system to date are considered. Some key design decisions and how they affect the goal of improved structure and performance are examined. How well the goal of extensibility has been met is examined: what aspects of the system are extensible, how extensions can be done, and how easy it is to add extensions. Some actual extensions to the system, including the experiences of the first real customizers, are discussed. >
Spinal cord compression during chronic epidural morphine administration in a cancer patient

Summary A case is described of thoracic spinal cord compression that occurred during continuous epidural administration of morphine. Sensory loss and motor weakness in the legs disappeared after catheter removal and antibiotic treatment.
Searching the MEDLARS citation file on-line using elhill and stairs: An updated comparison

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to update the comparison of the ELHILL (currently ELHILL 3, formerly ELHILL 2) and STAIRS programs as they affect on-line searching of the MEDLARS citation file. The major areas follow the format of the previous paper (data base characteristics, commands, basic terminal interactions, search statements, and printing citations resulting from on-line or off-line processing).
First Report of Impatiens Downy Mildew Caused by Plasmopara obducens in Kentucky.

Impatiens downy mildew (Plasmopara obducens (J. Schrot.) J. Schrot. (syn Peronospora obducens) was first reported in the United States in 2004, but widespread outbreaks were observed throughout North America in 2011 (5). In June 2012, symptoms, including severe defoliation while plants retained upright stems, were observed on approximately 100 landscape impatiens (Impatiens walleriana Hook.f.) in Franklin County in central Kentucky. All plants in the landscape were affected. Plants were primarily defoliated and remaining leaves were stunted, mottled, and chlorotic with edges curled downward; no flowers were present. Under examination with a dissecting microscope, white downy fungal growth was observed. Closer examination confirmed that the growth consisted of colorless sporangiophores that were mainly unbranched, straight, and rigid (1,3). Sporangiophores consisted of apical branches attached at right angles to main axes, ranging from 67.2 to 89.9 μm long (1). Sporangia were ovoid and hyaline, measuring 11.2 to 13.3 μm × 8.2 to 10.7 μm (3). No oospores were observed. Pathogenicity tests were performed by inoculating 20 to 40 leaves on three plants each of the cvs. Dazzler and Super Elfin with suspensions of 1 × 105 sporangiophores per ml in sterile distilled water. Sporangia were obtained by washing infected leaves with sterile distilled water, and inoculations were completed by spraying leaves until runoff. Plants sprayed with sterile water served as controls. Plants were covered with black plastic bags for 48 h and then maintained under fluorescent lights for 10 days at room temperature (22 to 25°C). Sporangiophores were recovered from inoculated plants after 10 days, and morphology matched original inoculum; symptoms included chlorotic, downward curling leaves with sporulation on the undersides. Non-inoculated plants did not develop symptoms after 21 days. Molecular identification of the pathogen was conducted using three leaves from one plant from each cultivar. PCR was conducted by amplifying the large ribosomal subunit DNA using primers NL-1 and NL-4 (2). Amplicons of 762 to 691 bp were produced from diseased plant tissue that contained visible sporangiophores, and the bands were extracted from the gel and purified. Sequence results confirmed 100% similarity to accessions from Florida (GenBank Accession No. JX217746.1) and Ohio (JX142134.1) and 99% similarity to amplicons reported from Serbia (HQ246451.1) and UK (AY587558.1). This is believed to be the first report of downy mildew infecting impatiens in Kentucky. References: (1) O. Constantinescu. Mycologia 83:473, 1991. (2) W. Maier et al. Can. J. Bot 81:12, 2003. (3) P. A. Saccardo. Syllogue Fungorum 7:242, 1888. (4) S. N. Wegulo et al. Plant Dis. 88:909, 2004.
Residential electricity auction with uniform pricing and cost constraints

This paper considers electricity auctions as auctions of a divisible good when the bidders have soft cost constraints. Soft cost constraints are such that the bidder proportionally reduces the desired quantity when the price is over a defined threshold. We prove a policy-consistent mechanism to allocate the goods using uniform pricing. Further, the mechanism is communication efficient and polynomial time computable. We finish by describing how the auction mechanism could work for residential real time electricity pricing using intelligent programmable communicating thermostats.
Biomechanics of recumbent cycling in adolescents with cerebral palsy with and without the use of a fixed shank guide

Abstract New stationary cycles can decrease motion in the frontal and transverse planes with a shank guide. However, there are no studies comparing cycling with and without this guide. The purpose of this study was to compare cycling with and without a shank guide for adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Three males and seven females (15.6 ± 1.8 years) with CP, classified as levels III and IV with the Gross Motor Functional Classification System, underwent biomechanical analysis of stationary recumbent cycling with and without a shank guide at 30 and 60 rpm if able. Data collected included three-dimensional lower extremity joint kinematics using motion analysis, surface electromyography of eight lower extremity muscles, cocontraction of six agonist/antagonist pairings, efficiency (power output divided by oxygen consumption), and perceived exertion (OMNI Scale of Perceived Exertion). Non-circular data were analyzed via ANOVAs, and circular data were analyzed using circular t -tests. The shank guide altered joint kinematics in all three planes ( p p p > 0.008), efficiency ( p = 0.920), or perceived exertion ( p = 0.318). The results suggest that a shank guide during cycling may be beneficial for individuals with CP to decrease the amount of hip and knee frontal and transverse plane motion. Knee movement in these planes has been associated with pain in healthy adults; therefore the guide may help to prevent long-term complications from cycling for adolescents with CP.
Stromally Expressed c-Jun Regulates Proliferation of Prostate Epithelial Cells

Stromal-epithelial interactions play a critical role in development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. We have previously shown that stromal cells associated with prostatic carcinoma can potentiate proliferation and reduce cell death of prostatic epithelial cells. Genetic alterations in stromal cells affect stromal-epithelial interactions and modulate epithelial growth. The c-Jun proteins that are early transcription factor molecules have been shown to regulate stromal-epithelial interactions via paracrine signals. Moreover, the Jun-family member proteins have been shown to play an important role in proper development of the genitourinary organs. In this study, we show that c-Jun protein in fibroblasts regulates production and paracrine signals of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). c-jun+/+ fibroblasts secrete higher levels of IGF-1 and stimulate benign prostatic hyperplasia-1 cellular proliferation. In addition, stromally produced IGF-1 up-regulates epithelial mitogen-activated protein kinase, Akt, and cyclin D protein levels while down-regulating the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27. These data suggest that stromally expressed c-Jun may promote prostatic epithelial proliferation through IGF-1 as a paracrine signal that, in turn, can promote prostate epithelial proliferation. Identification of the signal transduction pathways between prostate epithelial cells and the surrounding stromal cells will improve our understanding of the normal and abnormal biology in prostatic diseases.
Excited states of dicyclohepta[cd,gh]pentalene: Linear dichroism in a stretched polymer, magnetic circular dichroism, and calculations

Abstract Ordinary and linear dichroic uv-visible absorption spectra of dicyclohepta[ cd,gh ]pentalene have been determined from measurements on solutions in 3-methylpentane and in stretched sheets of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer at 77 K. Magnetic circular dichroic spectrum was measured at room temperature. The spectra reveal the presence of numerous separate electronic transitions and permit assignment of state symmetries and of relative direction and sense of some magnetic dipole transition moments between excited states with respect to direction and sense of electric dipole transition moments from ground to these excited states. π-electron calculations account well for the results, including the absolute signs of the peaks in the MCD spectrum (with a single exception).
A pilot study of use of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib in recurrent prostate cancer after definitive radiation therapy or radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor celecoxib in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrent prostate cancer after definitive radiation therapy (RT) or radical prostatectomy (RP), as recent evidence showed that COX-2 inhibitors have potent antitumour activity in prostate cancer both in vitro and in vivo but there are no human trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twelve patients who had biochemical relapse after RT or RP were treated with celecoxib 200 mg twice daily. Follow-up PSA levels to assess efficacy were obtained at 3, 6 and 12 months after initiating treatment. Data were evaluated by calculating PSA doubling times and the slope of the curve of logPSA vs time, to assess rate of PSA rise before and after celecoxib treatment for each patient. Serum testosterone levels were also measured. RESULTS Eight of the 12 patients had significant inhibition of their serum PSA levels after 3 months of treatment; five had a decline in their absolute PSA level and three a stabilization of the level. Of the remaining four patients, three had a marked decrease in their PSA doubling time, with a mean increase (i.e. slowing) of 3.1 times that before treatment. The short-term responses at 3 months also continued at 6 and 12 months. From the slope of log PSA vs time there was a significant flattening of the rate of PSA rise (P = 0.001). There was a significant change of patients with rapid doubling times towards slower doubling times or even stable/declining PSA values after treatment with celecoxib (P = 0.029). There was no significant change in testosterone levels, suggesting an androgen-independent mechanism. CONCLUSIONS COX-2 inhibitors may have an effect on serum PSA levels in patients with biochemical progression after RT or RP. These results suggest that COX-2 inhibitors may help to delay or prevent disease progression in these patients, and thereby help extend the time until androgen deprivation therapy. Further study with more patients is currently underway to better evaluate the clinical potential of COX-2 inhibitors as an antitumour agents in prostate cancer.
Multichannel optical instrument for near-infrared imaging of tissue

ABSTRACTOur research is aimed at the development of a frequency-domain instrument for conducting non-invasive, real-time, near-infrared optical tomography of tissue in vivo. Our goal is to reconstruct aspatial map of the optical properties of a strongly scattering medium in a semi-infinite-geometry sampling configuration. Specifically, we focus our attention on the absorption coefficient (pta) and the reduced scattering coefficient (j) of the medium. We have developed a frequency-domain measurement protocol (which we call pre-calibrated), which permits one to recover the values of and _tsI of a uniform tissue-like phantom from a measurement at a single source-detector separation and asingle modulation frequency. It requires a preliminary reference measurement on a calibration sample of known optical properties before the measurement on the investigated sample. This approach is in principle rigorous only in macroscopically homogenous media. We have verified that the equations valid for uniform media can still be applied to yield qualitative information on the optical nature of the
The application of controlled variable magnetic eddy current damping to the study of vortex-induced vibrations

A powerful variable magnetic eddy current damping system has been constructed and utilized in an experimental study of vortex-induced vibrations (VIV). This damping system allows us to impose precise values of nearly ideal viscous damping over a wide range of damping values of interest. This new damping system offers improvements over previously utilized damping methods. Unlike most studies of VIV, where the damping cannot be independently controlled, we are able to impose our system damping independent of the other system parameters. Also, because the system only requires that a thin conductive plate be attached to the oscillating system, the overall mass of the system does not increase dramatically and still allows the investigation of very low mass systems. Finally, the system can operate in a steady-state fashion, supplying a constant damping value for an extended period of time, or in a transient fashion, where the damping value is intentionally varied over time. With this damping system, we have systematically explored both steady and transient damping effects on VIV behavior and provide a brief overview of some sample results.
Evaluation and protection of corneal endothelium

Since human corneal endothelial cells are not known to reproduce, their evaluation assumes para­ mount importance in light of the recent increase in in­ traocular lens (IOL) implantation. Earlier work has been carried out in the area of protecting corneas with nonbiological l ,2 and biological polymers. :3,4 This pa­ per compares four substances used to protect the cor­ neal endothelium during lens implantation: bovine se­ rum albumin, human gamma globulin, umbilical cord hyaluronic acid, and shark chondroitin sulphate C. These biological macromolecules were chosen for high spatial adaptivity, responsiveness to innocuous solution additives, biocompatibility, and ability to cre­ ate an adjustable viscous medium. The in vitro and animal studies described herein rely on the dye exclusion technique 5 - 7 for evaluation of corneal viability. 8-10 MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro study
Composite Statistical Method for Modeling Wind Gusts

This paper discusses the application of three statistical methods in combination to model wind gusts for use in aircraft flight simulation. The approach combines principal components analysis, time-series analysis, and probability distribution methods to analyze and simulate wind gust components. Comparisons between wind gust components generated by the model and those measured onboard an aircraft show the model produces realistic gust components.
Those were the days: Memory bias for the frequency of positive events, depression, and self-enhancement

Past research has associated depression with memory biases pertaining to the frequency, duration, and specificity of past events. Associations have been proposed between both negative and positive memory biases and depression symptoms. However, research has not examined the occurrence of actual events over time in the study of memory bias. To address these limitations and investigate whether a negative or positive memory bias is associated with symptoms of depression, we collected weekly data on specific types of life events over a 4-year period from a sample of college students, and asked students to recall event frequency at the end of that period. Exaggerated recall of frequency for positive events but not other types of events was associated with depression symptoms, using both continuous and categorical measures. Moderator analyses indicated that these effects were evidenced primarily for memories involving the self and among individuals low in trait self-enhancement. The current study indicates that positive memory-frequency bias is an important type of memory bias associated with symptoms of depression. Results support the idea that the link between memory bias for positive event frequency and depressed mood arises out of a current-self vs past-self comparison.
Role of colanic acid exopolysaccharide in the survival of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in simulated gastrointestinal fluids

Aim: This study evaluated the production of colanic acid (CA) exopolysaccharide (EPS) by Escherichia coli O157:H7 in relation to the pathogen's ability to survive under acidic conditions simulating the environment in the human gastrointestinal tract. Methods and Results: Escherichia coli O157:H7 W6–13 and its CA-deficient mutant M4020 were examined for their resistance to bile salts, and their ability to survive in simulated gastric fluid containing pepsin (pH 2·0) and simulated intestinal fluid containing pancreatin (pH 8·0). The effect of acid adaptation at pH 5·5 on the survival of E. coli O157:H7 in simulated gastric fluid was also determined. The results indicated that the survivability of M4020, under conditions simulating the environment in the human gastrointestinal tract, reduced more drastically than the viability of W6–13. The presence of bile salts had a slight effect on both types of E. coli O157:H7 cells. The loss of CA did not change the ability of M4020 to respond to acid adaptation. Conclusion: The EPS CA may serve as a protective barrier to E. coli O157:H7 for its survival in the human gastrointestinal tract. Significance and Impact of the Study: The study contributes to a better understanding of the EPS affecting the ability of E. coli O157:H7 to combat acid stress.
Localization of an exchangeable GTP binding site at the plus end of microtubules

Microtubule polarity arises from the head-to-tail orientation of alpha-beta tubulin heterodimers in the microtubule lattice. The identity of the polypeptide at each end of the microtubule is unknown, but structural models predict that the beta-tubulin end contains an exchangeable guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding site. When GTP-coated fluorescent beads were incubated with microtubules, they bound specifically to plus ends, suggesting that tubulin is oriented in microtubules with beta-tubulin toward the plus end.
Navajos and Energy Development: Economic Decision Making Under Political Uncertainty

One of the chief stumbling blocks to the more active participation of anthropologists in social environmental impact assessment is the difficulty encountered in relating ethnographic research systematically to the more quantitative methodologies used by other social science disciplines. The potential contributions of cognitive anthropological and ethnoscience approaches are demonstrated through description of Navajo categories of the social costs resulting from energy resources and agribusiness development. The way in which decision models are derived from Navajo-language discourse, and their representation of native strategies for mitigating adverse environmental effects, are then described. While the decision model has some limitations under conditions of political uncertainty, the model's contributions to remedies of this problem are also noted, particularly in its amenability to questionnaire design and testing through mathematical models. One such mathematical model, entailment analysis, is described...
Hard-wired central pattern generators for quadrupedal locomotion

Animal locomotion is generated and controlled, in part, by a central pattern generator (CPG), which is an intraspinal network of neurons capable of producing rhythmic output. In the present work, it is demonstrated that a hard-wired CPG model, made up of four coupled nonlinear oscillators, can produce multiple phase-locked oscillation patterns that correspond to three common quadrupedal gaits — the walk, trot, and bound. Transitions between the different gaits are generated by varying the network's driving signal and/or by altering internal oscillator parameters. The above in numero results are obtained without changing the relative strengths or the polarities of the system's synaptic interconnections, i.e., the network maintains an invariant coupling architecture. It is also shown that the ability of the hard-wired CPG network to produce and switch between multiple gait patterns is a model-independent phenomenon, i.e., it does not depend upon the detailed dynamics of the component oscillators and/or the nature of the inter-oscillator coupling. Three different neuronal oscillator models — the Stein neuronal model, the Van der Pol oscillator, and the FitzHugh-Nagumo model -and two different coupling schemes are incorporated into the network without impeding its ability to produce the three quadrupedal gaits and the aforementioned gait transitions.
Representation of digital line segments and their preimages

Abstract A period on digital line segments is defined. It is shown that each of the two nearest supports contains a preimage of the digital line segment and at least one of them contains two points of the digital line segment. Linear time algorithms are presented which find the nearest support of a 2-D digital line segment, four and eight parameters that represent 2-D and 3-D digital line segments, respectively, and construct the complete set of preimages of 2-D and 3-D digital line segments.
Improved synthesis of 8-mercaptoquinoline and its derivatives.

A rapid and simple synthesis of 8-mercaptoquinoline and some of its derivatives is described. High yields are easily obtained.
Developing a Talent for Science

Ritset Jansen’s Developing a Talent for Science is a self-help book for those bound for or already bonded to “that special type of organization called a university” (1), plus managers, administrato...
Three Spatial Verification Techniques: Cluster Analysis, Variogram, and Optical Flow

Abstract Three spatial verification techniques are applied to three datasets. The datasets consist of a mixture of real and artificial forecasts, and corresponding observations, designed to aid in better understanding the effects of global (i.e., across the entire field) displacement and intensity errors. The three verification techniques, each based on well-known statistical methods, have little in common and, so, present different facets of forecast quality. It is shown that a verification method based on cluster analysis can identify “objects” in a forecast and an observation field, thereby allowing for object-oriented verification in the sense that it considers displacement, missed forecasts, and false alarms. A second method compares the observed and forecast fields, not in terms of the objects within them, but in terms of the covariance structure of the fields, as summarized by their variogram. The last method addresses the agreement between the two fields by inferring the function that maps one to ...
SNiPA: an interactive, genetic variant-centered annotation browser.

Motivation: Linking genes and functional information to genetic variants identified by association studies remains difficult. Resources containing extensive genomic annotations are available but often not fully utilized due to heterogeneous data formats. To enhance their accessibility, we integrated many annotation datasets into a user-friendly webserver. Availability and implementation: http://www.snipa.org/ Contact: ed.nehcneum-ztlohmleh@relleumnetsak.g Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Dynamic power management of complex systems using generalized stochastic Petri nets

In this paper, we introduce a new technique for modeling and solving the dynamic power management (DPM) problem for systems with complex behavioral characteristics such as concurrency, synchronization, mutual exclusion and conflict. We model a power-managed distributed computing system as a controllable Generalized Stochastic Petri Net (GSPN) with cost. The obtained GSPN model is automatically converted to an equivalent continuous-time Markov decision process. Given the delay constraints, the optimal power management policy for system components as well as the optimal dispatch policy for requests are calculated by solving a linear programming problem based on the Markov decision process. Experimental results show that the proposed technique can achieve more than 20% power saving compared to other existing DPM techniques.
History of Success and Current Context in Problem Solving: Combined Influences on Operator Selection☆

Abstract Problem solvers often have multiple operators available to them but must select just one to apply. We present three experiments that demonstrate that solvers use at least two sources of information to make operator selections in the building sticks task (BST): information from their past history of using the operators and information from the current context of the problem. Specifically, problem solvers are more likely to use an operator the more successful it has been in the past and the closer it takes the current state to the goal state. These two effects, respectively, represent the learning and performance processes that influence solvers’ operator selections. A computational model of BST problem solving, developed within the ACT-R theory (Anderson, 1993), provides the unifying framework in which both types of processes can be integrated to predict solvers’ selection tendencies.
High temperature diaphragm valve-based comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

A high-temperature diaphragm valve-based comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) instrument is demonstrated which readily allows separations up to 325°C. Previously, diaphragm valve-based GC×GC was limited to 175°C if the valve was mounted in the oven, or limited to 265°C if the valve was faced mounted on the outside of the oven. A new diaphragm valve has been commercially developed, in which the temperature sensitive O-rings that previously limited the separation temperatures have been replaced with Kalrez O-rings, a perfluoroelastomer, allowing for significantly higher temperatures permitting a greater range of volatile and semi-volatile compounds to be readily separated. In the current investigation, a separation temperature up to 325°C is demonstrated with the valve mounted directly in the oven. Since the temperature limit for most commonly used GC columns is at or below 325°C, the scope of diaphragm valve-based GC×GC is now dramatically broadened to encompass a majority of all column stationary phase chemistries. A 44-component mixture of alkanes, alcohols, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons is used to study this new configuration whose boiling points range from 98°C (n-heptane) to 450°C (n-triacontane). For the test mixture using a modulation period PM of 1.0s, peak shapes on second dimension separations, (2)D, are symmetric with average widths at base of 79.4ms, producing a (2)D peak capacity of (2)nc∼12. Based on the average peak width of 2.4s for the first dimension separation with a run time of 32.5min, the (1)D peak capacity is (1)nc∼800. Thus, the ideal two-dimensional peak capacity [Formula: see text] is 9600. Little variation in within-analyte (2)D peak width was observed with an average %RSD of less than 3.0%. Furthermore, retention time on (2)D was very reproducible with an average %RSD less than 0.5%. Measured peak areas (sum of all (2)D peaks for given analyte) had an average %RSD of 4.4%. The transfer fraction from (1)D to (2)D was experimentally determined to be ∼30%, while the detection sensitivity for valve-based GC×GC was ∼8 times higher than one dimensional GC due to zone compression. After a year of use with temperatures consistently up to 325°C, there has been no deterioration of the valve or its performance for GC×GC. Separations of vacuum pump oil and orange oil are also reported to demonstrate practical utility.
Patients' annual income adequacy, insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses related to heart failure care.

Abstract Objectives To (1) identify the amount patients spend for insurance premiums, co-payments, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs related to HF and chronic health care services and estimate their annual non-reimbursed and out-of-pocket costs; and (2) identify patients' concerns about nonreimbursed and out-of-pocket expenses. Background HF is one of the most expensive illnesses for our society with multiple health services and financial burdens for families. Methods Mixed methods with quantitative questionnaires and qualitative interviews. Results Patients ( N = 149) reported annual averages for non-reimbursed health services co-payments and out-of-pocket costs ranging from $3913 to $5829 depending on insurance coverage. Thirty one patients (21%) reported inadequate health coverage related to their non-reimbursed costs. Conclusions Non-reimbursed costs related to HF care are substantial and vary depending on their insurance, health services use, and out-of-pocket costs. Patient referral to social services to assist with expenses could provide some relief from the burden of high HF-related costs.
Net Forces in Dielectrophoresis Actuation

This paper presents expanded numerical results on the net force experienced by a liquid under dielectrophoresis (DEP) actuation. It is shown that the peak force experienced by a droplet under DEP actuation (when interfaces are near fringing elds) is strongly related to the dielectric constant of the uid. Further, it is shown that the contact angle of the uid can also play a signicant role in the peak force obtained by a droplet while its interface is near the fringing eld of an active electrode.
Automated analysis of DNA hybridization images for high-throughput genomics

The design and implementation of a computer vision system called DNAScan for the automated analysis of DNA hybridization images is presented. The hybridization of a DNA clone with a radioactively tagged probe manifests itself as a spot on the hybridization membrane. The imaging of the hybridization membranes and the automated analysis of the resulting images are imperative for high-throughput genomics experiments. A recursive segmentation procedure is designed and implemented to extract spotlike features in the hybridization images in the presence of a highly inhomogeneous background. Positive hybridization signals (hits) are extracted from the spotlike features using grouping and decomposition algorithms based on computational geometry. A mathematical model for the positive hybridization patterns and a Bayesian pattern classifier based on shape-based moments are proposed and implemented to distinguish between the clone-probe hybridization signals. Experimental results on real hybridization membrane images are presented.
Targeting gene expression to the head: the Drosophila orthodenticle gene is a direct target of the Bicoid morphogen

The Bicoid (Bcd) morphogen establishes the head and thorax of the Drosophila embryo. Bcd activates the transcription of identified target genes in the thoracic segments, but its mechanism of action in the head remains poorly understood. It has been proposed that Bcd directly activates the cephalic gap genes, which are the first zygotic genes to be expressed in the head primordium. It has also been suggested that the affinity of Bcd-binding sites in the promoters of Bcd target genes determines the posterior extent of their expression (the Gene X model). However, both these hypotheses remain untested. Here, we show that a small regulatory region upstream of the cephalic gap gene orthodenticle (otd) is sufficient to recapitulate early otd expression in the head primordium. This region contains two control elements, each capable of driving otd-like expression. The first element has consensus Bcd target sites that bind Bcd in vitro and are necessary for head-specific expression. As predicted by the Gene X model, this element has a relatively low affinity for Bcd. Surprisingly, the second regulatory element has no Bcd sites. Instead, it contains a repeated sequence motif similar to a regulatory element found in the promoters of otd-related genes in vertebrates. Our study is the first demonstration that a cephalic gap gene is directly regulated by Bcd. However, it also shows that zygotic gene expression can be targeted to the head primordium without direct Bcd regulation.
Different Ionic Forms of Estrogen Receptor in Rat Uterus and Human Breast Carcinoma

Estrogen receptors from rat uterus and human breast carcinoma were analyzed by diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography. Cytosols which had been incubated for short periods of time demonstrated a single discrete elution peak, indicating a single ionic form, while cytosols incubated for longer periods of time generated a second ionic form of receptor. Addition of cations to cytosols also promoted the rapid appearance of this second ionic form of receptor. Either leupeptin, a protease inhibitor, or sodium molybdate prevented the appearance of this second ionic form of estrogen receptor. The estrogen receptor from rat uterine cytosol incubated without leupeptin or molybdate had a smaller apparent molecular weight than did estrogen receptor from cytosols incubated with leupeptin or molybdate. Altogether, these experiments suggested that a cation-dependent protease present in the cytosols from both tissues was degrading the estrogen receptor to a second smaller species during extended incubation times.
Preventing cardiomyocytes from TNF-α-induced cell death based on the impedance-sensing technique for real-time monitoring cell adhesion

Cardiomyocyte death is a critical risk factor in a variety of cardiovascular diseases [1, 2]. At the level of individual cardiomyocyte, cell adhesion alters at the early phase of ongoing death. In the previous study, we developed the impedance-sensing technique for real-time monitoring cardiomyocyte adhesion [3]. In this work, we demonstrated the application of our impedance-sensing technique in regulating cell responses to chemical stimuli. The results showed that the cell detachment could be detected with our impedance-sensing technique earlier than conventional biochemical staining techniques, and it could be used to guide the precautionary removal of TNF-α from the cell culture to intervene in the cell responses and prevent cardiomyocytes from cell death.
Postdrinking Sexual Inferences: Evidence for Linear Rather Than Curvilinear Dosage Effects1

Observers infer more sexual availability and willingness from a drinking dater. We hypothesized that, as dosage rises, these sexual inferences follow a linear pattern. College participants rated a woman (Study 1) and man (Study 2) exhibiting a sober, moderate, or high level of intoxication while with a light-drinking companion. Alcohol was perceived as having linear effects on sexual availability; and, except for male participants in Study 2, alcohol was perceived as having linear effects on willingness. Thus, with rising intoxication and diminished capacity for arousal, drinkers are perceived as more available and willing. Findings are discussed relative to expectancy models of sexuality. Reasons for desynchrony between alcohol’s actual supression of sexual arousal and its perceived enhancement of willingness are presented.
Characterization of the recalcitrant CYP1 phenotype found in Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) inhabiting a Superfund site on the Elizabeth River, VA

Fundulus heteroclitus (Atlantic killifish) found at the Atlantic Wood Industries Superfund site on the Elizabeth River (ER) in Portsmouth, VA (USA), have been shown to be resistant to the teratogenic effects of creosote-contaminated sediments found at this highly contaminated site. Many of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found at the ER are known to activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), and are thought to mediate their toxic effects through this pathway. Activation of the AHR results in the induction of several Phase I and II metabolic enzymes. It has been previously shown that the AHR of killifish from the ER are refractory to induction by AHR agonists. To more fully characterize this altered AHR response, we exposed embryos from the ER and from a reference site on King's Creek, VA (KC) to two PAHs, benzo[α]pyrene (BaP) and benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), and to the dioxin-like compound (DLC), 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126). We compared their developmental and molecular responses by screening the embryos for CYP1A enzyme activity, cardiac deformities, and mRNA expression of CYP1A, CYP1B1, CYP1C1, and AHR2. Basal gene expression of both CYP1A and CYP1B1 was 40% higher in the KC control embryos compared to those from the ER, while AHR2 and CYP1C1 were not significantly different between the populations. Exposure of KC embryos to BaP, BkF, and PCB126 induced CYP1A activity and cardiac deformities. In contrast, CYP1A activity was induced in ER embryos only in response to BkF exposure, although this induction in ER embryos was significantly lower than that observed in KC fish at comparable concentrations. ER embryos did not develop cardiac deformities in response to any of the chemicals tested. CYP1A, CYP1B1 and CYP1C1 mRNA were all significantly induced in the KC embryos after exposure to BaP, BkF and PCB126. Exposure to BaP and BkF in ER embryos resulted in a significant induction of CYP1A mRNA, albeit significantly lower than observed in KC fish. Interestingly, BaP exposure resulted in induction of CYP1B1 at comparable levels in embryos from both populations. CYP1s were not induced in ER embryos in response to PCB126, nor was CYP1C1 for any treatment examined. Additionally, AHR2 was not significantly induced for any of the treatment groups. This study further characterizes the AHR response in killifish, and provides greater insight into the adapted ER phenotype. The ER adaptation involves the suppression of normal AHR-inducible gene expression for all three CYP1 genes, and therefore is likely an alteration in AHR signaling or control.
Book Review: New Introduction to Multiple Time Series Analysis

Helmut Lutkepohl's New Introduction of Multiple Time Series Analysis is destined to become a classic that will sit, dog-eared and profusely highlighted, on the shelves of many practitioners and stu...
A publicação de revistas eletrônicas: economia da produção, distribuição e uso

This paper analyses economic aspects of the scientific scholarly journal publishing, based on production costs and use data. It compares the production of traditional journals with electronic journals, discussing price policies for subscriptions and providing a guide to assess breakeven points, helping libraries to face the option of subscribing to journals or obtaining separate copies through interlibrary borrowing or document delivery.
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF MOTHER-CHILD STORYTELLING IN EAST INDIA AND NORTHEAST UNITED STATES

This study examined cultural variations in parental goals of storytelling and story constructions to and with young children. Sixty-five (34 East India; 36 USA) mothers and their four-to-five year old children were audio taped as they read a non-worded picture storybook. East India mothers told longer stories that included more evaluative comments and responses to their child's questions than US mothers. Content and evaluation of character and story action reflected cultural themes of collectivism of India and individualism of USA. Enculturation through storytelling is discussed. (Mother-Child Storytelling, Individualism, Collectivism, Narrative)
Zettabyte reliability with flexible end-to-end data integrity

We introduce flexible end-to-end data integrity for storage systems, which enables each component along the I/O path (e.g., memory, disk) to alter its protection scheme to meet the performance and reliability demands of the system. We apply this new concept to Zettabyte File System (ZFS) and build Zettabyte-Reliable ZFS (Z2FS). Z2FS provides dynamical tradeoffs between performance and protection and offers Zettabyte Reliability, which is one undetected corruption per Zettabyte of data read. We develop an analytical framework to evaluate reliability; the protection approaches in Z2FS are built upon the foundations of the framework. For comparison, we implement a straightforward End-to-End ZFS (E2ZFS) with the same protection scheme for all components. Through analysis and experiment, we show that Z2FS is able to achieve better overall performance than E2ZFS, while still offering Zettabyte Reliability.
Thermally stimulated depolarization current studies on strain-induced relaxations in polymers

Thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSD) method has been used to study the molecular relaxation from room temperature up to the glass-transition temperature for three plastically deformed polymers. A well-defined distinct α′ peak has been observed in the vicinity of 70°C for polycarbonate, polysulfone, as well as poly(ethylene terephthalate), that had been annealed above Tg and subsequently cold-rolled. Since this relaxation is not observed after the initial measurements, it is a nonequilibrium relaxation. In the case of polycarbonate, the nonreversible α′ process had an activation energy ranging from 1.22 to 1.75 eV and an intensity proportional to the degree of deformation resulting from cold-rolling. The spontaneous polarization in the rolled material was believed to originate from the initial anisotropy which was subsequently enhanced by the rolling process. Density measurements, as well as the birefringence observation, have been performed on the rolled specimens. All the studies led to the conclusion that the molecular motion responsible for this α′ peak was the disorientation of local chain segments from their aligned conformation frozen in during the cold-work.
Hyperfast algorithms for model-based diagnosis

This paper describes small, efficient implementations of three diagnostic methods for use with industrial processes. They are measurement validation, alarm analysis, and fault diagnosis. All three methods use multilevel flow models, to describe the target process. They have been implemented in G2 and C, and provide fast, hard real-time diagnosis. >
Propranolol in the treatment of angina pectoris

Abstract A new approach to the treatment of angina pectoris has been introduced, which uses propranolol, a β-adrenergic receptor blockading agent. Effects are based primarily on prevention of sympathetically induced increases in cardiac work rather than on coronary vasodilatation. Initial clinical reports indicate that propranolol-treated patients may require less nitroglycerine and may have improved exercise tolerance. Long-term efficacy has not been demonstrated. No evidence exists that electrocardiographic improvement has occurred, nor that there is greater longevity in anginal patients who have followed long-term propranolol therapy. Further clinical information is necessary in order to determine the ultimate role of propranolol or other β-adrenergic-blockading agents in the treatment of angina pectoris.