cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“We Always Spend Time Together on Sundays”: How Grandparents and Their Grandchildren Think About and Use Informal Learning Spaces

ABSTRACT This study compared grandparent–grandchild groups who experienced an informal science exhibition by visiting a museum or by visiting a website. Although intergenerational learning is often the focus of visitor research, few studies have focused specifically on grandparents as an audience. Do they have unique intergenerational needs that museums and websites are not yet supporting? Do they find museums and websites to be good places to learn alongside their grandchildren? The authors' findings suggested that grandparents prefer museums as locations for intergenerational learning because the museum environment is more supportive of social engagement in ways that allow grandparents to accomplish their own visiting agendas. In contrast, the web appeared to introduce conflict between grandparent and grandchild agendas.
Dissipative flow of Josephson and Abrikosov fluxons in high Tc superconductors

Abstract A model is presented for the field dependent microwave absorption in high T c superconductors; fluxon motion in Josephson juctions and in bulk material causes the absorption. Junction dissipation is demonstrated by microwave induced dc voltage across YBaCuO samples which has a magnetic field dependence.
Nitrite/nitric oxide regulation of therapeutic angiogenesis for diabetic ischemic vascular disease

Diabetes is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease along with concomitant peripheral vascular disease contributing to development of PAD and non-healing ulcers of the extremities. Previous work has revealed that NO bioavailability is markedly diminished during diabetes and figures to be a key contributor to increased cardiovascular disease in this metabolic disorder. Our group has determined that the NO/nitrite endocrine system serves as a critical mediator of ischemic vascular remodeling of peripheral limbs and has further revealed the importance of this endocrine system for diabetic vascular disease. Data will be presented demonstrating how nitrite/NO metabolism mediates protection against peripheral tissue ischemia and necrosis during diabetes by stimulating therapeutic angiogenesis in both young and aged diabetic animal models. Nitrite/NO therapeutic angiogenesis during diabetes significantly depends on VEGF induction and activity while also significantly decreasing vascular and ischemic tissue oxidative stress. Importantly, oral sodium nitrite administration to diabetic patients with peripheral tissue ulcers is well tolerated indicating the therapeutic potential of this approach for therapeutic angiogenesis for diabetic peripheral vascular disease.
Improving health care outcomes through reallocation of health care expenditures

The use of incremental cost-outcomes ratios as decision variables by those working in the area of pharmacoeconomics is commonplace. Unfortunately, few question the assumptions implicit in the use of such ratios. In this paper, the author argues that under certain reasonable assumptions regarding the production of health care and alternative therapy options, if partial substitution or switching between therapy options occurs, it may be possible not only to stay within an initial health care budget but also to yield higher total outcomes for the treating population. This argument is presented by developing a model of health care costs and outcomes in a dual-therapy environment.
Interaction-driven topological insulators on the kagome and the decorated honeycomb lattices

We study the spinless and spinful extended Hubbard models with repulsive interactions on the kagome and the decorated honeycomb (star) lattice. Using Hartree-Fock mean-field theory, we show that interaction-driven insulating phases with nontrivial topological invariants (Chern number or ${Z}_{2}$ invariant) exist for an experimentally reasonable range of parameters. These phases occur at filling fractions which involve either Dirac points or quadratic band crossing points in the noninteracting limit. We present comprehensive mean-field phase diagrams for these lattices and discuss the competition between topologically nontrivial phases and numerous other ordered states, including various charge, spin, and bond orderings. Our results suggest that ${Z}_{2}$ topological insulators should be found in a number of systems with either little or no intrinsic spin-orbit coupling.
Neuronal activity in the mediodorsal and intralaminar nuclei of the dorsal thalamus during classical heart rate conditioning

Abstract Multiple unit activity (MUA) was recorded from chronically implanted electrodes in either the mediodorsal (MD) or the intralaminar (IL) nuclei of the dorsal thalamus in separate groups of rabbits during (a) habituation of the cardiac orienting reflex, (b) Pavlovian heart rate (HR) conditioning, and (c) extinction of the HR conditioned response (CR). Other animals with similar recording electrodes received explicitly unpaired presentations of the conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (US). The cardiac orienting reflex and the HR CR consisted of bradycardia. However, tone-evoked tachycardia was obtained in animals that received CS/US unpaired presentations. MUA evoked by the CS consisted of a short latency (20–40 ms) increase under all conditions, which reached its maximum 200–300 ms after CS onset. This response habituated greatly during tone-alone pretraining, but was considerably greater in the paired than unpaired group during the later trials of conditioning in animals with MD, but not IL, placements. Instead, a longer latency increase (500 ms) in MUA occurred in the paired but not in the unpaired animals in the IL group. The MUA increases in both instances, including the early, short latency increase in the MD group, and the longer latency increase in the IL group, were trial-related, and declined to pretraining levels during extinction, indicating that these neuronal changes had an associative basis. These findings suggest that neuronal activity in both MD and IL is related to the early events involved in Pavlovian conditioning, but that the relative roles of these two closely related thalamic nuclei in associative learning must be somewhat different.
Posteroanterior wrist radiography: Importance of arm positioning

Proper interpretation of wrist radiography requires a standardized radiographic technique. We obtained posteroanterior (PA) radiographs of the wrist in nine patients in three different arm positions to study the effect of arm position on ulnar styloid process orientation. An appearance simulating a normal anteroposterior (AP) wrist radiograph was present in six of nine PA radiographs when the arm was positioned next to the trunk, and the elbow was flexed to a 90% angle. The orientation of the ulnar styloid was not helpful in differentiating either pronated from supinated wrist positions or AP from PA projections. We concluded that radiographic screening of the carpus should be performed with standardized wrist positioning and nomenclature as described in modern radiographic technological texts. Supplemental projections should be exposed and interpreted with an understanding of the position of the arm and the direction of the incident radiographic beam at the time of examination.
Synthesis and Thermal Curing of Aryl-Ethynyl-Terminated coPOSS Imide Oligomers: New Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Resins

A new bis(amino)-functionalized POSS monomer was prepared and characterized with the formula diexo-(c-C5H9)8Si8O11(p-C6H4NH2)2 . The new POSS monomer (1−10 mol %) along with diamines 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene (APB) and 3,4‘-oxydianiline (ODA) and were copolymerized with 4,4‘-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and two reactive end-caps, 4-(arylethynyl)phthalic anhydride {where aryl = phenyl and 9-anthracenyl} to afford a series of new inorganic/organic imide oligomers. The oligomers containing 1% and 10% POSS gave similar Tg data (≈191 and 203 °C) as the pure organic imide oligomers and were shown to thermally cure to afford solvent-resistant and high Tg resins. The thermal curing kinetic data for the 10%-POSS-containing imide was obtained. The kinetic data showed the rate of thermal curing to be unaffected (within experimental deviation) by the addition of the POSS units.
Phase Dispersion of Coatings in the Beam Combiner of a Stellar Interferometer

The coatings in a beam combiner contribute significantly to the dispersion. An analysis of phase dispersion from coatings in our MAM-2 experimental unit is presented. The dispersion from experimental measurements is compared to the model.
Community Education for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Results from the Minnesota Heart Health Program

The Minnesota Heart Health Program was a community trial of cardiovascular disease prevention methods that was conducted from 1980 to 1990 in three Upper Midwestern communities with three matched comparison communities. A 5- to 6-year intervention program used community-wide and individual health education in an attempt to decrease population risk. A major hypothesis was that the incidence of validated fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease and stroke in 30- to 74-year-old men and women would decline differentially in the education communities after the health promotion program was introduced. This hypothesis was investigated using mixed-model regression. The intervention effect was modeled as a series of annual departures from a linear secular trend after a 2-year lag from the start of the intervention program. In the education communities, 2,394 cases of coronary heart disease and 818 cases of stroke occurred, with 2,526 and 739 cases, respectively, being seen in the comparison communities. The overall decline in coronary heart disease incidence was 1.8 percent per year in men (p = 0.03) and 3.6 percent per year in women (p = 0.007). For stroke, there were no significant secular trends. The authors recently published findings showing minimal effects of sustained intervention on risk factor levels. In the current report, there was no evidence of a significant intervention effect on morbidity or mortality, either for coronary heart disease or for stroke.
Effects of Particle-Induced Crystallization on Tribological Behavior of Polymer Nanocomposites

Similar to conventional engineering fabrication processes, tribological performance of drugs and pills in pharmaceutical manufacturing plays an important role in quality and product yields. In the present research, we investigate the effects of crystal structures of workpiece materials on their tribological performance in conditions typical of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Sorbitol composites containing gold nanoparticles were evaluated for material properties and tribological performance. It was found that the control exhibited nonordered gamma forms of sorbitol, while the samples containing rod nanoparticles showed a collection of tiny needlelike crystals of gamma phase. Spherical nanoparticles precipitated beta and alpha phases of sorbitol, which were not seen in the other samples. These variations in the crystal structure resulted in an unusual wear behavior, leading to high friction and softness in the case of the nanocomposites. The nanoparticles were found to influence the crystal structure of the sorbitol matrix, resulting in mechanical and tribological behaviors.
Evidence for a Refractory Period in the Neuroendocrine Mechanism for the Release of Prolactin

In the lactating rat, a period of time must elapse following a release of prolactin by acute suckling before suckling can again effect release of the hormone. The time delay also is evident though prolactin release at the initial suckling is blocked by injecting prolactin releaseinhibiting factor. The temporary lack of responsiveness thus does not appear to be related to a lack of releasable prolactin in the pituitary, but rather to the failure of some central component in the releasing mechanism to respond to stimulation. (Endocrinology 88: 355, 1971)
Noisy information and the size effect in stock returns

Noisy information (i.e., informative signals) can affect the likelihood of observing a size effect in realized stock returns. In a one period model with two firms, the observed firm sizes at date 0 can deviate from the true firm sizes that are revealed at date 1. Noisy information gets embedded in stock prices and can make the true big firm appear to be small and vice versa. Using NYSE size deciles from 1926 to 2011, the ratio of the 90th percentile size breakpoint to the 10th percentile size breakpoint is about 66 on average. If the true big firm in our model is 66 times bigger than the true small firm, there is about a 7.8 % chance that the observed size of the true big firm will be smaller than that of the true small firm. Since the true sizes are revealed at date 1, there is about a 7.8 % chance that the observed small firm migrates to the big category. Conditional on no migration, the observed big firm has the higher equilibrium expected return. However, conditional on migration, the observed small firm has the higher expected return, which is consistent with the empirical results in Fama and French (Financ Anal J 63:48–58, 2007).
Gender differences in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is known to be much more prevalent in females than in males, but the cause of this sexual predilection is not established. In addition, much controversy surrounds the differences in manifestations of SLE in both sexes. Objective: This article reviews the possible etiologies of the greater prevalence of SLE in females, as well as the differences in the clinical presentation of the disease in both sexes. Methods: Relevant studies were identified through a PubMed search for articles published between 1960 and 2001; no language restrictions were applied. Search terms included lupus, SLE, and gender differences. Books and online resources were also consulted. Results: Potential causes of the female predilection for SLE included the effects of estrogen and its hydroxylation, decreased androgen levels, hyperprolactinemia, and differences in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) signaling. Clinical manifestations of SLE included females having more frequent relapses, but the incidence of severe relapses was the same in both sexes. Raynaud phenomenon, arthritis, and leukopenia were more common in women, whereas skin manifestations, serositis, and renal involvement were more common in men. For neurologic manifestations, females with SLE experienced more psychiatric symptoms and headaches, whereas males with SLE experienced more seizures and peripheral neuropathy. Males with SLE also tended to have more severe renal disease and cardiorespiratory involvement. Conclusions: The increased frequency of SLE among women may be attributed to differences in the metabolism of sex hormones and/or GnRH. Though less common in men, when it does occur SLE tends to run a more severe course-an important consideration in the diagnosis and follow-up of male patients with SLE.
Bio-Psycho-Social Assessment of 9/11-Bereaved Children

A comprehensive and integrated assessment bio-psycho-social model for the assessment of children who lost parents in the World Trade Center is necessary so that effective short-term and long-term care planning can be achieved. This model has been used to guide assessments of children in the Care Alliance project. Rationale for this model, as well as preliminary findings from the Care Alliance project are presented.
H ∞ optimal control as weighted Weiner-Hopf optimization

It is shown that SISO H∞ optimal control problems are equivalent to a weighted Wiener-Hopf optimization problem. The optimal weight in this case is explicitly computed as the maximum magnitude Hankel singular vector of the system that is approximated. An interpretation of this result is discussed.
Power System State Estimation: Detection of Topological Errors

The applicability of state estimation has been extensively explored and generally accepted by industry. This paper presents a method that greatly enhances the capability of state estimators by considering the presence of errors in the network configuration of the model used. The method is simple, fast and applicable for real-time processing. Results of simulations of various types of topological errors are included.
PRESSURE-STRAIN-TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIP IN SHOCK LOADED CYLINDRICAL SAMPLES OF 304 STAINLESS STEEL

The residual temperature resulting from pressure-strain relationships in an axisymmetric cylindrical sample of 304 stainless steel is described. Axisymmetric implosions result in nonuniform pressure-strain-temperature combinations that need to be better understood. This paper describes each temperature contribution and the net effect on the sample. 10 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.
Linking population viability, habitat suitability, and landscape simulation models for conservation planning

Methods for habitat modeling based on landscape simulations and population viability modeling based on habitat quality are well developed, but no published study of which we are aware has effectively joined them in a single, comprehensive analysis. We demonstrate the application of a population viability model for ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) that is linked to realistic landscape simulations using a GIS-based habitat suitability index (HSI) model. We simulated potential future characteristics of a hardwood forest in southern Missouri under two tree harvest scenarios using LANDIS. We applied three different versions of the HSI model (lower, best, and upper estimates) to output from the landscape simulations and used RAMAS GIS to link estimates of temporally dynamic habitat suitability, through fecundity and carrying capacity, to ovenbird population viability. Abundances and viability differed more between the upper and lower HSI estimates than between the two forest management scenarios. The viability model was as sensitive to the relationship between reproductive success and habitat suitability as it was to rates of first-year survival and reproductive success itself. Habitat-based viability models and the wildlife studies they support, therefore, would benefit greatly from improving the accuracy and precision of habitat suitability estimates. Combining landscape, habitat, and viability models in a single analysis provides benefits beyond those of the individual modeling stages. A comprehensive modeling approach encompasses all components and processes of interest, allows direct comparison of the relative levels of uncertainty in each stage of modeling, and allows analysis of the economic benefits and costs of different land use plans, which may be affected by landscape management, habitat manipulation, and wildlife conservation efforts. Using population viability, habitat suitability, and landscape simulation models in an integrated analysis for conservation planning is an important advancement because habitat quality is a critical link between human land use decisions and wildlife population viability.
Synaptic lability after experience-dependent plasticity is not mediated by calcium-permeable AMPARs.

Activity- or experience-dependent plasticity has been associated with the trafficking of calcium-permeable AMPARs (CP-AMPARs) in a number of experimental systems. In some cases it has been shown that CP-AMPARs are only transiently present and can be removed in an activity-dependent manner. Here we test the hypothesis that the presence of CP-AMPARs confers instability onto recently potentiated synapses. Previously we have shown that altered sensory input (single-whisker experience; SWE) strengthens layer 4-2/3 excitatory synapses in mouse primary somatosensory cortex, in part by the trafficking of CP-AMPARs. Both in vivo and in vitro, this potentiation is labile, and can be depressed by NMDAR-activation. In the present study, the role of CP-AMPARs in conferring this synaptic instability after in vivo potentiation was evaluated. We develop an assay to depress the strength of individual layer 4-2/3 excitatory synapses after SWE, using a strontium (Sr++)-replaced ACSF solution (Sr-depression). This method allows disambiguation of changes in quantal amplitude (a post-synaptic measure) from changes in event frequency (typically a presynaptic phenomenon). Presynaptic stimulation paired with postsynaptic depolarization in Sr++ lead to a rapid and significant reduction in EPSC amplitude with no change in event frequency. Sr-depression at recently potentiated synapses required NMDARs, but could still occur when CP-AMPARs were not present. As a further dissociation between the presence of CP-AMPARs and Sr-depression, CP-AMPARs could be detected in some cells from control, whisker intact animals, although Sr-depression was never observed. Taken together, our findings suggest that CP-AMPARs are neither sufficient nor necessary for experience-dependent synaptic plasticity in somatosensory neocortex.
Prospective Study of Cured Meats Consumption and Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Men

Cured meats are high in nitrites. Nitrites generate reactive nitrogen species that may cause damage to the lung. The objective is to assess the relation between frequent consumption of cured meats and the risk of newly diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Between 1986 and 1998, the authors identified 111 self-reported cases of newly diagnosed COPD among 42,915 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. The cumulative average intake of cured meats consumption (processed meats, bacon, hot dogs) was calculated from food frequency questionnaires administrated in 1986, 1990, and 1994 and divided according to servings per week (never/almost never, <1 serving/week, 1-3 servings/week, 4-6 servings/week, at least once/day). After adjustment for age, smoking status, pack-years, pack-years squared, energy intake, race/ethnicity, US region, body mass index, and physical activity, the consumption of cured meats was positively associated with the risk of newly diagnosed COPD (for highest vs. lowest intake: relative risk = 2.64, 95% confidence interval: 1.39, 5.00; p(trend) = 0.002). In contrast to these findings, the consumption of cured meats was not associated with the risk of adult-onset asthma. These data suggest that cured meat may worsen the adverse effects of smoking on risk of COPD.
Halving fail rates using peer instruction: a study of four computer science courses

Peer Instruction (PI) is a teaching method that supports student-centric classrooms, where students construct their own understanding through a structured approach featuring questions with peer discussions. PI has been shown to increase learning in STEM disciplines such as physics and biology. In this report we look at another indicator of student success the rate at which students pass the course or, conversely, the rate at which they fail. Evaluating 10 years of instruction of 4 different courses spanning 16 PI course instances, we find that adoption of the PI methodology in the classroom reduces fail rates by a per-course average of 61% (20% reduced to 7%) compared to standard instruction (SI). Moreover, we also find statistically significant improvements within-instructor. For the same instructor teaching the same course, we find PI decreases the fail rate, on average, by 67% (from 23% to 8%) compared to SI. As an in-situ study, we discuss the various threats to the validity of this work and consider implications of wide-spread adoption of PI in computing programs.
Orthogonality and Least-Squares Problems

In this chapter we extend the geometric ideas developed in Chap. 6 from R 2 and R 3 to R n . As an application we will develop the ideas behind least-squares approximations to data.
The Mediating Role of Cognitive Reattribution and Reappraisal in the Esteem Support Process

The recently proposed cognitive-emotional theory of esteem support messages (CETESM) posits that sophisticated esteem support messages enhance state self-esteem by promoting cognitive reattribution and reappraisal of esteem-threatening situations and their effects on the self. To test this hypothesis, participants (N = 234) read a hypothetical situation in which they imagined they had experienced one of two esteem-threatening situations. They then read a conversation in which a helper offered high- or low-quality esteem support messages. Finally, participants completed measures of cognitive reattribution and reappraisal and state self-esteem. Results mostly supported the predicted mediational model, though one message feature failed to predict message ratings, and issues arose in assessing cognitive reattribution.
Diagnostic errors in the intensive care unit: a systematic review of autopsy studies

Context: Misdiagnoses may be an underappreciated cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Their prevalence, nature, and impact remain largely unknown. Objectives: To determine whether potentially fatal ICU misdiagnoses would be more common than in the general inpatient population (w5%), and would involve more infections or vascular events. Data sources: Systematic review of studies identified by electronic (MEDLINE, etc.) and manual searches (references in eligible articles) without language restriction (1966 through 2011). Study selection and data abstraction: Observational studies examining autopsy-confirmed diagnostic errors in the adult ICU were included. Studies analysing misdiagnosis of one specific disease were excluded. Study results (autopsy rate, misdiagnosis prevalence, Goldman error class, diseases misdiagnosed) were abstracted and descriptive statistics calculated. We modelled the prevalence of Class I (potentially lethal) misdiagnoses as a non-linear function of the autopsy rate. Results: Of 276 screened abstracts, 31 studies describing 5863 autopsies (median rate 43%) were analysed. The prevalence of misdiagnoses ranged from 5.5%e100% with 28% of autopsies reporting at least one misdiagnosis and 8% identifying a Class I diagnostic error. The projected prevalence of Class I misdiagnoses for a hypothetical autopsy rate of 100% was 6.3% (95% CI 4.0% to 7.5%). Vascular events and infections were the leading lethal misdiagnoses (41% each). The most common individual Class I misdiagnoses were PE, MI, pneumonia, and aspergillosis. Conclusions: Our data suggest that as many as 40500 adult patients in an ICU in USA may die with an ICU misdiagnoses annually. Despite this, diagnostic errors receive relatively little attention and research funding. Future studies should seek to prospectively measure the prevalence and impact of diagnostic errors and potential strategies to reduce them.
MedMaker: a mediation system based on declarative specifications

Mediators are used for integration of heterogeneous information sources. We present a system for declaratively specifying mediators. It is targeted for integration of sources with unstructured or semi-structured data and/or sources with changing schemas. We illustrate the main features of the Mediator Specification Language (MSL), show how they facilitate integration, and describe the implementation of the system that interprets the MSL specifications.
Recommendations for hormone therapy in hysterectomized women: importance of new data in clinical management.

Women with a prior hysterectomy with and without oophorectomy represent special cohorts among those who require menopausal hormone therapy (HT), as a progestogen is not required for endometrial protection. This is relevant in light of recent research demonstrating superiority of estrogen therapy alone compared with estrogen plus a progestogen with respect to breast cancer risk and perhaps even cardiovascular protection. No longer is it appropriate to lump all HT regimens together when advising patients. Unfortunately, there is a general reluctance in the healthcare community to prescribe HT even a decade after publication of the results of the Women’s Health Initiative trial. However, with subsequent research showing a favorable benefit/risk balance of short-term estrogen therapy in symptomatic, recently menopausal women, especially those who have undergone hysterectomy with oophorectomy, the need for educating patients and providers on the matter cannot be overemphasized.
A parallel quasi-Newton method for Gaussian data fitting

Abstract We describe a parallel method for unconstrained optimization based on the quasi-Newton descent method of Broyden, Fletcher, Goldfarb, and Shanno. Our algorithm is suitable for both single-instruction and multiple-instruction parallel architectures and has only linear memory requirements in the number of parameters used to fit the data. We also present the results of numerical testing on both single and multiple Gaussian data fitting problems.
Browsing the chip design database

A design browser is a tool for exploring the interconnected web of design objects managed by a CAD database. The browser described in this paper is the first such tool to present this information graphically—directed graphs are drawn to show the relationships that exist between objects in the database. Since graphs can become very large, techniques referred to as rectangular and hourglass pruning have been developed to reduce the information displayed to a manageable level. This browser allows designers to visualize the rich, multidimensional structure of their designs.
Prognostic Significance of Gleason Score Discrepancies between Needle Biopsy and Radical Prostatectomy

Abstract Objectives Discordance between the Gleason score (GS) on needle biopsy (NB) and the GS of the radical prostatectomy (RP) specimen is a common finding. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of these discrepancies with respect to outcomes following RP. Methods In the study, 6625 men treated by RP were categorized as having NB=RP (68.8%), NB RP (6.2%) GS, and stratified for analyses into RP GS groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze differences in biochemical recurrence–free survival (BRFS), and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to estimate the independent relative risk of progression associated with GS discrepancies. Results Across multiple RP GS strata (3+4, 7, 8, 8–10), patients with a lower NB GS experienced significantly better BRFS than patients with equal NB and RP GS (all p p =0.001) BRFS, within and across RP GS strata. Similarly, patients with NB>RP GS had poorer BRFS than patients with NB=RP GS across multiple RP GS strata (≤3+3, 3+4, 7; all p RP GS was independently associated with worse (pooled HR, 1.91, p Conclusions Our data suggest that the GS of the NB adds additional prognostic value to the RP GS in a consistent manner that may be applicable to strategies of risk stratification and patient counseling after surgery.
High-Throughput Identification of Inhibitors of Human Mitochondrial Peptide Deformylase:

The human mitochondrial peptide deformylase (HsPDF) provides a potential new target for broadly acting antiproliferative agents. To identify novel nonpeptidomimetic and nonhydroxamic acid–based inhibitors of HsPDF, the authors have developed a high-throughput screening (HTS) strategy using a fluorescence polarization (FP)–based binding assay as the primary assay for screening chemical libraries, followed by an enzymatic-based assay to confirm hits, prior to characterization of their antiproliferative activity against established tumor cell lines. The authors present the results and performance of the established strategy tested in a pilot screen of 2880 compounds and the identification of the 1st inhibitors. Two common scaffolds were identified within the hits. Furthermore, cytotoxicity studies revealed that most of the confirmed hits have antiproliferative activity. These findings demonstrate that the designed strategy can identify novel functional inhibitors and provide a powerful alternative to the use of functional assays in HTS and support the hypothesis that HsPDF inhibitors may constitute a new class of antiproliferative agent.
Interactions between enhancer of rudimentary and Notch and deltex reveal a regulatory function of enhancer of rudimentary in the Notch signaling pathway in Drosophila melanogaster.

nd-p , was isolated as a lethal in combination with an e(r) allele, e(r) p2 . Both mutants are viable as single mutants. N nd-p is caused by a p-element insertion in the 5’ UTR, 378-bp upstream of the start of translation. Together the molecular and genetic data argue that N nd-p is a hypomorphic allele of N. The three viable notchoid alleles, N nd-p , N nd-1 and N nd-3 , are lethal in combination with e(r) alleles. Our present hypothesis is that e(r) is a positive regulator of the Notch signaling pathway and that the lethality of the N e(r) double mutants is caused by a reduction in the expression of the pathway. This is supported by the rescue of the lethality by a mutation in Hairless , a negative regulator of N and by the synthetic lethality of dx e(r) double mutants. Further support for the hypothesis is a reduction in E(spl) expression in an e(r) mutant. Immunostaining localizes eR to the nucleus, suggesting a nuclear function for e R. a role in the Notch signaling pathway, suggests that e(r) may be expressed in the nervous system. This turns out to be the case, as immunostaining of eR shows that eR is localized to the developing cNs.
Submicron gate indium gallium arsenide microwave power transistors

Depletion-mode InGaAs microwave power MISFETS with 0.7- mu m gate lengths and 0.2-mm gate widths have been fabricated using an epitaxial process. The devices employed a plasma-deposited silicon dioxide gate insulator. The RF power performance at 18 GHz is presented. An output power density of 0.92 W/mm with a corresponding power gain and power-added efficiency of 3.2 dB and 29%, respectively, was obtained. This is the highest output power density obtained for the InGaAs-based transistor on InP at K-band. >
Efficient modeling for multilayer feed-forward neural nets

The authors discuss two important aspects in multilayer feed-forward neural nets: the optimal number of hidden units per layer, and the optimal number of synaptic weights between two adjacent layers. On the basis of simulations, they conjecture that the optimal number of hidden units shall be equal to or a little bit more than M-1 for efficient learning, where M is the number of pairs of training patterns used. Locally interconnected nets may be useful for some real applications where geometrical properties are significant. By introducing highway links into the locally interconnected nets, the convergence speed can be improved significantly. >
Coherent scattering of a spherical wave from an irregular surface

The scattering of a spherical wave from a rough surface using the Kirchhoff approximation is considered. An expression representing the measured coherent scattering coefficient is derived. It is shown that the sphericity of the wavefront and the antenna pattern can become an important factor in the interpretation of ground-based measurements. The condition under which the coherent scattering-coefficient expression reduces to that corresponding to a plane wave incidence is given. The condition under which the result reduces to the standard image solution is also derived. In general, the consideration of antenna pattern and sphericity is unimportant unless the surface-height standard deviation is small, i.e., unless the coherent scattering component is significant. An application of the derived coherent backscattering coefficient together with the existing incoherent scattering coefficient to interpret measurements from concrete and asphalt surfaces is shown.
Global asymptotic stability of plant-seed bank models

Many plant populations have persistent seed banks, which consist of viable seeds that remain dormant in the soil for many years. Seed banks are important for plant population dynamics because they buffer against environmental perturbations and reduce the probability of extinction. Viability of the seeds in the seed bank can depend on the seed’s age, hence it is important to keep track of the age distribution of seeds in the seed bank. In this paper we construct a general density-dependent plant-seed bank model where the seed bank is age-structured. We consider density dependence in both seedling establishment and seed production, since previous work has highlighted that overcrowding can suppress both of these processes. Under certain assumptions on the density dependence, we prove that there is a globally stable equilibrium population vector which is independent of the initial state. We derive an analytical formula for the equilibrium population using methods from feedback control theory. We apply these results to a model for the plant species Cirsium palustre and its seed bank.
Multiport Noise Characterization and Differential Amplifiers

I address the issue of the definition and measurement of noise figure and parameters to characterize multiport devices, particularly differential amplifiers. A parameterization in terms of the noise matrix appears to be the most practical. The noise figure for a given output port is defined and related to the noise matrix and scattering parameters of the device. As an example, the case of a differential amplifier with reflectionless terminations is considered in detail. The noise figure, effective input temperature, and gains are related to the results of a series of hot-cold measurements, as in the familiar two-port case.
Deploying GOOG-411: Early lessons in data, measurement, and testing

We describe our early experience building and optimizing GOOG-411, a fully automated, voice-enabled, business finder. We show how taking an iterative approach to system development allows us to optimize the various components of the system, thereby progressively improving user-facing metrics. We show the contributions of different data sources to recognition accuracy. For business listing language models, we see a nearly linear performance increase with the logarithm of the amount of training data. To date, we have improved our correct accept rate by 25% absolute, and increased our transfer rate by 35% absolute.
Rapid development of high ice particle concentrations in small polar maritime cumuliform clouds

Abstract Extremely high ice particle concentrations developed rapidly in the ascending tops of maritime cumulus congestus clouds after drizzle drops had already formed below this level by the collision–coalescence mechanism. In one building cloud with a top temperature no colder than −8°C, the ice particle concentrations increased from 0 to >350 L−1 within 9 min. In another cloud with a top temperature no colder than −13°C, the ice particle concentrations increased from ≤1 to ∼1100 L−1 within 12 min. Subsequently, the ice particle concentrations in these clouds decreased, even though the cloud top temperature of one of the clouds continued to decrease to −23.5°C. The mechanism responsible for these prodigious increases in ice particle concentrations is not clear. The concentrations built too fast to be explained by the riming-splintering mechanism as it is presently formulated. It is suggested that high ice particle concentrations might form in localized pockets of high supersaturation with respect to water.
Intangible Assets (or Lack Thereof) Association with Financial Distress

Prior research has investigated the upside value of investing in intangible assets and knowledge creation. This study looks at the downside of not investing in intangible assets. The lack of intangible assets suggests firms are not creating future opportunities and at the worst may be subject to financial distress. The empirical analysis indicates that firms without intangible assets are more prone to bankruptcy and financial distress.
Implications of a Cognitive Science Model Integrating Literacy in Science on Achievement in Science and Reading: Direct Effects in Grades 3–5 with Transfer to Grades 6–7

Reported are the results of a multiyear study in which reading comprehension and writing were integrated within an in-depth science instructional model (Science IDEAS) in daily 1.5 to 2 h daily lessons on a schoolwide basis in grades 3–4–5. Multilevel (HLM7) achievement findings showed the experimental intervention resulted in significant and consistent direct effects in grades 3–4–5 and complementary transfer effects in grades 6–7 on both ITBS Science (+1.08 Grade Equivalent Units [GE]) and ITBS Reading (+.57 GE). Discussed are implications of the findings and related research for changing grade K-5 curriculum policy to allocate increased instructional time for integrated science instruction.
Formation Geometries and Route Optimization for Commercial Formation Flight

Formation flight provides an effective way to dramatically reduce fuel burn without fundamental changes to the aircraft flying today. A two aircraft echelon formation is investigated along with three different three aircraft formations. A three aircraft inverted-V formation geometry is shown to have many favorable characteristics compared to other formation geometries. All of the aircraft in this formation need very small aileron deflections to trim in roll, for most spanwise spacings the formation is statically stable, and the total formation induced drag is insensitive to high levels of positioning uncertainty. A trade study was conducted to determine the fuel savings and difference in flight times that result from applying formation flight to missions of different stage length and different spacings between the origin cities. For a two aircraft echelon formation, the maximum fuel savings were 4% with a tip-to-tip gap between the aircraft equal to 10% of the span and 10% with a tip overlap equal to 10% of the span . For the three aircraft inverted-V formation, the maximum fuel savings were about 7% with tip-to-tip gaps equal to 10% of the span and about 16% with tip overlaps equal to 10% of the span. A case study examined the use of formation flight on five FedEx flights from the pacific northwest to Memphis, TN. The purpose of this study was to quantify the fuel burn reduction achievable in a commercial setting without changing the flight schedule. With tip-to-tip gaps of about to 10% of the span it was shown that fuel savings of approximately 4% could be achieved for the set of five flights. With a tip-to-tip overlap of about 10% of the span the overall fuel savings are about 11.5% if the schedule is unchanged. This translates to saving approximately 700,000 gallons of fuel per year for the set of five flights.
“Ecological” Inference: The Use of Aggregate Data to Study Individuals*

Because they are inexpensive and easy to obtain, because they may be available under circumstances in which survey data are unavailable, and because they eliminate many of the measurement problems of survey research, data on geographic units such as counties or census tracts are often used by political scientists to measure individual behavior. This has involved us in the long-standing problem of inferring individual-level relationships from aggregate data, which was first raised by W. S. Robinson in the early nineteen fifties.In this paper, I shall first discuss the problem raised by Robinson. I shall then review three partial solutions to the problem—the Duncan-Davis method of setting limits, Blalock's version of ecological regression, and Goodman's version of ecological regression. Finally, I shall propose some ways in which Goodman's method may be used so as to reduce the problem of bias in its estimates, and make it a more reasonable tool for reserch.Our difficulty, as Robinson showed, is that we cannot necessarily infer the correlation between variables, taking people as the unit of analysis, on the basis of correlations between the same variables based on groups of people as units. For example, the “ecological” correlation between per cent black and per cent illiterate is +0.946, whereas the correlation between color and illiteracy among individuals is only+0.203.
Hybrid Sterility of the Tobacco Budworm:Effects of Alternate Sterile and Normal Matings on Fecundity and Fertility

Fecundity and fertility of backcross (BC) generation females from crosses between female Heliothis subflexa (Guenee) and the tobacco budworm, H. virescens (F.) did not differ from fecundity and fertility of normal H. virescens females based on the response to sterile (S) matings with BC males and normal (N) matings with H. virescens males. The fertility of females mated N or receiving a final N mating (S→N) differed from those of females whose mating sequence was S, S→S, or N→S. Females mated S or S→S by BC males had lower rates of oviposition and produced infertile eggs because the males lacked eupyrene sperm. Females mated N→S produced a lower percentage of fertile eggs and percentage egg hatch was reduced 78%, indicating that displacement of viable eupyrene sperm had occurred. Thus, the final type of mating determined the extent of fertility of the females.
Analytic validation of commercially available immunoassays for the measurement of serum cobalamin and folate concentrations in pigs.

BACKGROUND Cobalamin (vitamin B12 ) and folate (vitamin B9 ) are important for the amino acid metabolism and nucleic acid synthesis. Immunoassays for the measurement of both vitamins in serum are routinely used in people, cats, and dogs, serving as indicators for clinical disorders including cobalamin and/or folate deficiency, small intestinal dysbiosis, or inadequate dietary supply of these vitamins. The analysis of these analytes may also be clinically useful in pigs. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to analytically validate immunoassays for the measurement of cobalamin and folate concentrations in porcine serum, and to determine serum cobalamin and folate concentrations in healthy newborn pigs pre- and postweaning. METHODS Assay validation for both vitamins included the determination of linearity, accuracy, and intra- and inter-assay variability using serum samples from 10 pigs. Also, serum cobalamin and folate concentrations were compared in piglets between pre- and postweaning. RESULTS For both vitamins, observed-to-expected ratios for linearity and accuracy were 93.2 ± 14.3% and 100.3 ± 8.1% (mean ± standard deviation), respectively. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation for serum were ≤ 8.7% and ≤12.5%, respectively. Significantly higher serum cobalamin and lower folate concentrations were observed in piglets at the time of weaning than at postweaning (P < .0061; P < .0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Both immunoassays are linear, accurate, precise, and reproducible for measurement of porcine serum cobalamin and folate concentrations. Piglets differing in age by only 12 days had significantly different serum cobalamin and folate concentrations. The implications of differing serum cobalamin and folate concentrations in pigs at different stages of life should be further investigated.
Pollution of Legionella pneumophila in Central Air-conditioning Ventilation Systems and Evaluation on the Effectiveness of Pollution Control

Objective To investigate the current situation of Legionella pneumophila pollution in central air-conditioning ventilation systems of public places in Changsha,and to provide evidence for developing better control measures. Methods L.pneumophila was detected in the samples randomly collected from condensed water or cooling water in guesthouses and shopping malls in Changsha in 2007 and 2010. Results The detection rate of L.pneumophila in 2007 was 43.9%.The detection rate in cooling water was 58%,but no L.pneumophila was found in condensed water(P0.01).L.pneumophila type I had a higher proportion(77.8 %),and type 2-14 accounted for 22.2%.The detection rate of L.pneumophila in 2010 was 18%.The detection rates in cooling water and condensed water were 24.3% and 5.5%,respectively.L.pneumophila type I accounted for 90%,and type 2-14 for 10%. Conclusions The risk of L.pneumophila pollution in central air-conditioning ventilation systems of public places would be reduced through strengthening the supervision and conducting regular cleaning.